HVAC Troubles

[WVJeep304]

Well, this evening on my way to a buddy's house, I realized my hvac was set on the dash vents, but i could also feel it on the floor. When I switched it to floor, it blew even harder on the floor, and less through the dash, but still came out the dash as well. I don't mean a little bit of air leaking by, I mean full on blowing out both locations with decent force. When turned to defrost, it came out at the top of the dash as it should.

Trying to plan for tomorrow's troubleshooting session. I'm thinking either vacuum leak, blend door issue, or control panel. Anything I'm not thinking of? Is it more likely to be one of those things over another?

02 Wrangler 4.0 5spd

 

[WVJeep304]

Ok. So after checking for vacuum leaks and proper function of blend doors/actuators, I'm inclined to believe the switch panel is the culprit. When switching to a/c, everything works as it should, same with defrost. Every other setting results in air coming out the dash and footwell to some degree. Whichever setting it's on gets the strongest airflow, but the opposite location gets a not-insignificant amount of airflow as well.

The switch doesn't feel as if it's hitting those positions as firmly as it once did. So, that's the first thing I'll try. Is there a decent switch panel out there without having to drop $225 plus shipping for the SMP brand? I'm tempted to gamble on one of the Amazon units that range from $30-$160. It's not a super urgent fix, so I'll wait until it's more problematic and buy the SMP if that's the move. But my OCD may force me to make a move sooner than later .

 

[Daryl]

Remove the knob and inspect for a split in the plastic where the shaft is inserted.

 

[WVJeep304]

Remove the knob and inspect for a split in the plastic where the shaft is inserted.

Actually checked that already. It's good. It's hard to explain, but the feel of the switch moving through the settings just doesn't have any positive stops, for lack of a better term--and I feel like that is slightly over stating it. It feels firm, just not like it should.

 

[Rancho LJ]

Double check the lower actuator from the driver's footwell. When moving the controls, you may see the actuator moving. A common failure point is where the metal arm attaches to the lever/driver that is actually connected to the door through the box. Make sure the metal arm is actually attached to the lever. It's tough to get a good look at.

This thread may help...Post in thread 'Just another A/C issue thread' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/just-another-a-c-issue-thread.89368/post-1877316

 

[WVJeep304]

Double check the lower actuator from the driver's footwell. When moving the controls, you may see the actuator moving. A common failure point is where the metal arm attaches to the lever/driver that is actually connected to the door through the box. Make sure the metal arm is actually attached to the lever. It's tough to get a good look at.

This thread may help...Post in thread 'Just another A/C issue thread' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/just-another-a-c-issue-thread.89368/post-1877316

I actually checked that first. I feel like all of the actuators are functional, because when I turn it to a/c dash vents, it only blows out the dash vents. Same with defrost. The issue is only on heat with dash or footwell settings. In other words, everything functions as expected in a/c mode and straight defrost mode. It's only dash vent, footwell, and footwell/defrost modes individually where the issue occurs.

 

[macleanflood]

Could try pulling the resistor and blowing air through the opening on the cowl to see what you can knock out.

-Mac